Photoshop Does NOT allow Watermarks in batches to be used

[Chester425]

It appears I'm trying to do the impossible.  Create a batch command that, when executed, will Take a directory of photos and drop a watermark on  the photo, saving it.  Here's the problem: You must merge layers.  The genuises at Adobe MUST have figured out that this would be something everyone would use and thus wrote code to trap this case and error out.

With a JPG photo open

Step 1:

  Create a action set:

        Drop a watermark contained within a Library onto the JPG.  Note that the "watermark" file is a PSD          file created within the application.  When placed within the Libaray, the act of dropping the

        "watermark" file creates a "smart" object ready for re-sizing.

        Resize the watermark

        Combine the layers.  Note that all layers ARE visible .  You cannot:

                         Use  Crel-E (Merge layers)

                         Use Ctrl-Shift-E (merge all visible layers)

                         Select both layers, the select Layers\Merge Layers

Now save the sommand by clicking on the button at the top right of the actions menu and press Save Actions.  Bear in mind the following rule:  YOU CAN SAVE ONCE AND ONLY ONCE IN THE LIFETIME OF THE PRODUCT.  This is because that menu option is disabled.

Now try running as a batch:

  Select File/Automate/Batch from the main menu

  Select the source and destination folders

  Check the  Suppress File Open Options Dialog and Color Profile Warnings

  Select Log Errors to File, and provide a filename

  Press OK

  It will try to run but you will be left with nothing but frustration.  And of course a error log

  Depending on which method you use for combining layers you will get different errors

Start Batch

File: "C:\WaterMarks\WaterMarkTest\2T4A1151.jpg"
Error: The command "Select" is not currently available. (-25920)

File: "C:\WaterMarks\WaterMarkTest\2T4A1152.jpg"
Error: The command "Select" is not currently available. (-25920)

File: "C:\WaterMarks\WaterMarkTest\2T4A1153.jpg"
Error: The command "Select" is not currently available. (-25920)

File: "C:\WaterMarks\WaterMarkTest\2T4A1154.jpg"
Error: The command "Select" is not currently available. (-25920)

File: "C:\WaterMarks\WaterMarkTest\WatermarkErrors.txt"
Error: Could not complete your request because Photoshop cannot recognize the file extension. (-25600)

End Batch